Editorial: Rhee on reforming schools

One of the bright lights of education reform in California is Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of the Washington, D.C., schools. Her group based in Sacramento, StudentsFirst, just released a new State Policy Report Card. Although it's rough on California, we talked to her about hope for our state.

The Report Card graded states on 37 policies, which break down into three main areas: Elevate Teaching, on which California got an F; Empower Parents, another F; and Spend Wisely & Govern Well, a D.

Overall grade: F, ranking California 41st among the 50 states.

Sadly, this isn't surprising. For more than a decade, California schoolchildren have scored near the bottom on the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests. Last year, parents in Adelanto, in San Bernardino County, gained enforcement – after winning a lawsuit – of the state's parent-trigger law, which allows parents to "fire" a school.

Ms. Rhee told us, "Fifty percent of employers say they cannot find enough applications from candidates to fill mission-critical jobs. Schools are not preparing the next generation of Americans."

Reform is sweeping over much of the country, including states such as Maryland, New York and Connecticut that, like California, are dominated by the Democratic Party. Ms. Rhee added that President Barack Obama also is dedicated to such reforms as merit-pay for teachers and more parental involvement.

Commenting to the New York Times on California's low ranking, Richard Zeiger, the state's chief deputy school superintendent, called it a "badge of honor... . [StudentsFirst] is an organization that frankly makes its living by asserting that schools are failing."

Ms. Rhee recommended several reforms for California. The first is to base much of a teacher's performance review on student performance, something already done in 38 states. "Reward the best," she urged. Second, parents need to be involved more. Third, finances need to be reformed, especially pensions, so they don't devour school budgets.

We urge Democrats to follow their president and push such reforms here.

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